Innocent Mechanical Work Sparks Fire

By
Brian Paul.
Published Monday, July 28th, 2008

Fire danger is still set at extreme, but folks around the area are dis-obeying the law. A man living near Badger Mountain was doing some mechanical work, grinding on metal when sparks blew into the dry grasses. Flames only burned about half an acre, but it kept fire crews busy for about two hours. Fire Captain Jeff Ripley says no one is allowed to burn at this time, not even agricultural landowners. He says all citizens of Benton County are not allowed to use open flames during this point in fire season. Ripley says something as innocent as mechanical work or yard work can easily set off fires in this hot weather.